Is this healthy democracy at work? The next government will face one of the worst crises the UK has ever faced. Some think Britain’s most controversial politician stands to gain.
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The man who could be shadow PM in 10 days
Is this healthy democracy at work? The next government will face one of the worst crises the UK has ever faced. Some think Britain's most controversial politician stands to gain.
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PreviousNext
In 1992, a frustrated young commodities traderSomebody who invests in physical substances such as oil, gold or agricultural products. decided to quit the Conservative PartyA British political party. Members are known as Tories. after Prime Minister John MajorMajor was the British prime minister from 1990 to 1997. 's signed the Maastricht TreatyA key treaty in the creation of the European Union, sighed in the Netherlands in 1992. It paved the way for the single currency, the Euro. , an agreement to increase the integration of European countries.
The following year, the same trader met with a small group of others in London to found a new party opposing the EUEuropean Union. An economic and political union of 27 countries. . Few would have recognised the name that he signed among the UK Independence PartyA Eurosceptic, right-wing populist party in the United Kingdom, founded in 1993. Its most prominent figure was Nigel Farage, who has since left for the Reform Party. 's founders: Nigel Farage.
Three decades later, Farage is one of the country's most widely-recognised politicians.1 That is despite the fact that he has been rejected at the polls seven times.2
By the end of next week, not only may he finally win a seat in the House of CommonsThe democratically elected house of the UK Parliament. It consists of 650 Members of Parliament. ; he could be the favourite to become prime minister.
The story goes something like this. LabourBritain's main left-of-centre political party. gets a big victory on 4 July. However, it is immediately struck with a series of crises.3
The new prime minister, Keir StarmerThe leader of the UK Labour Party since 2020 and British prime minister since July 2024., will only be able to deal with these problems by borrowing money or taxing more.
Yet he has repeatedly promised not to do either. Starmer would seem like a liar.
Meanwhile, the Conservatives may have fallen below 100 seats for the first time in history.4 Right-wingers would call for Nigel Farage as leader of a new Conservative Party.
At a stroke he would become head of a sophisticated party machine with a compelling case against Labour. He would be on the doorstep of 0 Downing StreetThe official residence of the British prime minister. already.
So what, some ask? We live in a democracyA system of government based on the idea of rule by the people.. If the people want Farage then they should get him.
But others are more cautious. They point out Farage has a long history of playing fast and loose with democracy.
So elevating him to high office might not be democracy at work, they say. It could be a sign our democracy is deeply sick.
Is this healthy democracy at work?
Yes: In a democracy, people must be free to vote for whomever they like. If Labour and the Conservatives want to keep Nigel Farage out of power, they have to persuade voters to opt for them instead.
No: A healthy democracy is one that remains a democracy. Farage is a threat to democratic normsThe usual ways things are done. . The fact he is a contender for prime minister shows British democracy has a death wish.
Or... If voters feel angry enough to vote for Nigel Farage, that is ultimately the fault of the established parties for letting them down. But that does not mean Farage himself is the answer.
Commodities trader - Somebody who invests in physical substances such as oil, gold or agricultural products.
Conservative party - A British political party. Members are known as Tories.
John Major - Major was the British prime minister from 1990 to 1997.
Maastricht Treaty - A key treaty in the creation of the European Union, sighed in the Netherlands in 1992. It paved the way for the single currency, the Euro.
EU - European Union. An economic and political union of 27 countries.
UK Independence Party - A Eurosceptic, right-wing populist party in the United Kingdom, founded in 1993. Its most prominent figure was Nigel Farage, who has since left for the Reform Party.
House of Commons - The democratically elected house of the UK Parliament. It consists of 650 Members of Parliament.
Labour - Britain's main left-of-centre political party.
Keir Starmer - The leader of the UK Labour Party since 2020 and British prime minister since July 2024.
10 Downing Street - The official residence of the British prime minister.
Democracy - A system of government based on the idea of rule by the people.
Norms - The usual ways things are done.
The man who could be shadow PM in 10 days
Glossary
Commodities trader - Somebody who invests in physical substances such as oil, gold or agricultural products.
Conservative party - A British political party. Members are known as Tories.
John Major - Major was the British prime minister from 1990 to 1997.
Maastricht Treaty - A key treaty in the creation of the European Union, sighed in the Netherlands in 1992. It paved the way for the single currency, the Euro.
EU - European Union. An economic and political union of 27 countries.
UK Independence Party - A Eurosceptic, right-wing populist party in the United Kingdom, founded in 1993. Its most prominent figure was Nigel Farage, who has since left for the Reform Party.
House of Commons - The democratically elected house of the UK Parliament. It consists of 650 Members of Parliament.
Labour - Britain's main left-of-centre political party.
Keir Starmer - The leader of the UK Labour Party since 2020 and British prime minister since July 2024.
10 Downing Street - The official residence of the British prime minister.
Democracy - A system of government based on the idea of rule by the people.
Norms - The usual ways things are done.